There is one thing I forgot to do in all my twitterpated discombobulation however...

I didn't get his autograph!

I didn't even walk up and tell him how cool I think he is!

Dear David,

If you're reading this (hey it could happen) I heart your stellar vocal skills hardcore! Now, I realize I am too old for you, so I'll stick to drooling over Josh Groban, but know that I voted for you over and over every night of season 7 and I think you are a great example to the world that you can be adorably innocent and incredibly cool at the same time! Keep changing the world!

I've never been a huge fan of pie crust because of the "bitter" after-taste it always seems to have. When preparing this dough my distaste for pie crust was further confirmed when I discovered it contains 3 sticks!!!!!! of butter...

My advice: share small portions.

This was always my favorite part of pie making when I was little and "helping" around Thanksgiving time, The Top! I loved watching the different techniques to pinching the edges and making pretty slits in the top. The crisscross technique has always been my favorite.

Random Fact: I had a Fisher Price play dough pie set when I was little and I did this crisscross design on all of my creations (which were many). It's been a while since I've brought that out, but I don't think my rustyness shows... Oh yeah, I've still got it! :)

Bake-itty

...

Bake

...

Bake

...

ShaBAM!

Isn't it pretty? The edges were a bit darker than I would've liked, but I can't do everything right the first time or people get jealous. Ha...

Funny how it looks nothing like peach pie huh? If you had to guess I'd bet you'd say strawberry or razzleberry (what is a razzleberry btw? anyone?)

I give it a D for

Decadent

Delicious

Daring

and

Devoured

Thank you Food Network for the recipe, Madre for the helpful tips and family for eating it!

Yumalicious!

If you didn't get a taste of this creation, don't you fret, we've got a whole tree of peaches just waiting to be pie-ified!

Friday, September 25, 2009

I received the following story in an email and thought that it was most definitely worth sharing.

God bless the brave men and women fighting for our beloved country and freedom.

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

"No," he responded."Heading out?" I asked

"No. I'm escorting a soldier home."

"Going to pick him up?"

"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said,

"Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do."

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that ... Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked, "What can we do to make things better for you?" is "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.